Reducing the babel in plant volatile communication: using the forest to see the trees

While plants of a single species emit a diversity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to attract or repel interacting organisms, these specific messages may be lost in the midst of the hundreds of VOCs produced by sympatric plants of different species, many of which may have no signal content. Receivers must be able to reduce the babel or noise in these VOCs in order to correctly identify the message. For chemical ecologists faced with vast amounts of data on volatile signatures of plants in different ecological contexts, it is imperative to employ accurate methods of classifying messages, so that suitable bioassays may then be designed to understand message content. We demonstrate the utility of `Random Forests' (RF), a machine-learning algorithm, for the task of classifying volatile signatures and choosing the minimum set of volatiles for accurate discrimination, using datam from sympatric Ficus species as a case study. We demonstrate the advantages of RF over conventional classification methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), as well as data-mining algorithms such as support vector machines (SVM), diagonal linear discriminant analysis (DLDA) and k-nearest neighbour (KNN) analysis. We show why a tree-building method such as RF, which is increasingly being used by the bioinformatics, food technology and medical community, is particularly advantageous for the study of plant communication using volatiles, dealing, as it must, with abundant noise.

Biodiversity and India's Degraded Lands

''Ecosystem people'' of the world subsist by producing or gathering a diversity of biological resources from their immediate vicinity. Their quality of life is intimately linked to the maintenance of modest levels of biodiversity in their own circumscribed resource catchments. Their resource base has been extensively degraded by pressures created by ''biosphere people''; i.e. the Third World elite and citizens of industrial countries, who can draw resources from all over the world and are thus, indifferent to environmental degradation in the Third World. Because ''ecosystem people'' have a genuine stake in biodiversity maintenance in their immediate surrounding, it is important that conservation efforts include maintenance and restoration of at least modest levels of biodiversity throughout the Third World. In the case of India this may be achieved by (a) dedicating the bulk of reserve forests to production of nontimber forest produce (NTFP), to support rural economy; (b) organizing effective community-based management systems to fulfill subsistence biomass requirements of peasants and tribals; (c) encouraging a switchover from shifting cultivation to horticulture; (d) supporting traditional practices of growing a variety of plant species, including keystone resources like Ficus spp, in rural habitats and on roadsides, farm and canal bunds; and (e) promoting tree farming on private lands to fulfill commercial needs.

Estado actual del bosque de galería de la parte alta del rio Santa Elena, sector norte de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, Managua

~vii~ RESUMEN La presente investigación se realizó en el bosque de galería de la parte alta del río Santa Elena, de la Universidad Nacional Agraria, donde se identificó el estado actual y la estructura horizontal y vertical, la composición florística en el estrato arbóreo del río, además, se determinó la diversidad a través del índice ecológico de Shannon-Weiner, por lo cual se realizó un inventario al cien por ciento (100 %). En cuanto a la estructura horizontal, se encontró el mayor número de individuos correspondiendo a la categoría 10 a 19.9 cm, la que presento menores cantidades de árboles fue la categoría mayor de 90cm, la dominancia más alta fue para Ficus trigonata (Chilamate). En cuanto al índice de valor de importancia (IVI), los valores más altos, le corresponden a las especies, Ficus trigonata (Chilamate), seguido por Guazuma ulmifolia (Guácimo de ternero) y Pithecellobium dulce (Espino de playa), con respecto a la abundancia específica, Ficus trigonata (Chilamate) y Guazuma ulmifolia (Guácimo de ternero), son las más abundantes, obteniéndose el mayor valor en la ribera 4, similares resultados para la ribera 2, ribera 3, y los que presentaron menor diversidad fueron ribera 1 e Isla, existiendo las mayores abundancias para la ribera 4 y la ribera 2, sobresaliendo las especies de: Ficus trigonata (Chilamate), Inga vera (Guavillo) y Terminalia catappa (Almendra), las cuales se encuentran en todas las riberas, y otras presentes en tres y dos riberas, no obstante, las actividades que se realizan en el área y los en sayos de agricultura han permitido que disminuya la cobertura vegetal y dando espacio a nuevas especies arvense que se desarrollen llegando incluso a las orillas del río, por esta razón se proponen soluciones para conservar el recurso bosque de galería.

Comportamiento de nopal (Opuntia ficusindica L.) en asocio con seis cultivos prehispánicos, Ecolotes Ave Maria, Las Esquinas, Carazo 2013

El nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), familia de las Cactáceas, es originario de América. Es una planta que se adapta muy bien en diferentes condiciones climáticas, se desarrolla exitosamente en zonas donde llueve muy poco; también tiene una gran importancia por sus diferentes usos que se le conocen. Para conocer de su comportamiento como cultivo asociado, se estableció un ensayo en la finca Ecolote Ave María, ubicada en Las Esquinas, Carazo, en el km 37 ½ carretera Managua – San Marcos, Carazo, en la época de primera 2013. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar (BCA), con cuatro repeticiones y seis tratamientos: pipián cuarenteño (Cucúrbita angyrosperma J. C. Huber), amaranto (Amaranthus caudatus L.), chan (Hyptis suaveolens L.), frijol blanco (Phaseolus acutifolius, Gray), yuca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) y batata (Ipomoea batata L.), con el objetivo de conocer con cuál de estos cultivos en asocio se obtienen mejores rendimientos de cladodios de nopal. El análisis de los datos obtenidos del estudio reflejan que se obtuvo una supervivencia del 100 % en todo los tratamientos, el mejor número de brotes por planta fue de 2, el mejor ancho de cladodios (3.63 cm) y el mejor rendimiento fue de (2 386.5 kg/ha), en asocio con amaranto; el mejor largo de cladodios (7.65 cm) fue con el cultivo de Yuca, respecto al comportamiento de los cultivos prehispánicos, batata con una altura de 172.8 cm ha sido el más exitoso, seguido por el chan con 131.42 cm de largo de guía y la yuca con 111.3 cm de altura, los cultivos de amaranto, frijol blanco y pipián cuarenteño no lograron adaptarse a las condiciones climáticas del ensayo.

Composição florística e estrutura da comunidade arbustivo-arbórea de um trecho de floresta submontana na vertente sudeste do Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis / RJ

O estudo objetivou avaliar a composição florística e estrutural dos componentes arbustivo-arbóreo da Floresta Ombrófila Densa submontana em diferentes estágios de regeneração natural, na vertente sudeste do Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande/RJ. Para o inventário florístico foram realizadas coletas assistemáticas em diferentes trechos nessa vertente. A complementação da lista de espécies foi feita a partir, da consulta às exsicatas dos herbários do Rio de Janeiro (FCAB, GUA, HB, HRJ, R, RB, RBR, RFA, RFFP e RUSU) e do inventário fitossociológico. Foi verificado o status de conservação das espécies inventariadas para a Flora Brasileira. Para o inventário fitossociológico foram estabelecidas 34 parcelas amostrais, totalizando 1,02 ha de área amostrada. Todos os indivíduos arbustivo-arbóreos com DAP ≥ 5 cm foram registrados e, após identificação, foram depositados no Herbário da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (HRJ). O pacote estatístico FITOPAC 2.1. foi utilizado para a análise dos dados. A similaridade entre o remanescente investigado neste estudo e as outras quatorze áreas distintas do Rio de Janeiro, da própria Ilha Grande ou não, foi avaliada, utilizando-se o coeficiente de Similaridade de Sorensen; pelo critério de agrupamento por ligação média não ponderada (UPGMA) e pelo método de autorreamostragem para a estrutura de grupos; utilizados os programas PAST v1.34 e Multiv 2.4. A partir do levantamento em herbários e dos inventários florístico e fitossociológico realizados neste trabalho, foram analisados 3.470 registros, sendo 1.778 do levantamento de herbários, 1.536 do levantamento fitossociológico e 156 do inventário florístico. Esses registros corresponderam a 606 espécies ou morfo-espécies de Angiospermas e uma de Pteridófita. Os resultados obtidos revelaram a existência de 22 espécies ameaçadas de extinção para a Flora do Brasil. Dentre, as quais, sete são exclusivas da amostragem fitossociológica: Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes, Chrysophyllum flexuosum Mart., Ficus pulchella Schott ex Spreng., Macrotorus utriculatus Perkins, Myrceugenia myrcioides (Cambess.) O.Berg, Rudgea interrupta Benth e Urbanodendron bahiense (Meisn.) Rohwer. No estudo fitossociológico, inventariou-se 1.536 indivíduos de 217 espécies, subordinadas a 53 famílias. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H) calculado foi de 4,702 nats/ind e equabilidade (J) de 0,874. As 10 famílias com maior riqueza foram: Myrtaceae (31 spp.), Rubiaceae (21), Fabaceae (17), Lauraceae (12), Euphorbiaceae (11), Monimiaceae (8), Melastomataceae (7), Sapindaceae (7), Sapotaceae (6) e Annonaceae (6). Os 10 maiores Valores de Importância das espécies foram para Chrysophyllum flexuosum (3,43%), Lamanonia ternata Vell. (3,40%), Hyeronima alchorneoides Allemão (2,83%), Actinostemon verticillatus (Klotzsch) Baill. (2,55%), Psychotria brasiliensis Vell. (2,55%), Eriotheca pentaphylla (Vell.) A. Robyns (2,28%), Guatteria australis A. St.-Hil. (2,12%), Mabea brasiliensis Müll. Arg. (2,04%), Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC. (1,89%) e Rustia formosa (Cham. & Schltdl. ex DC.) Klotzsch (1,82%). Amostraram-se 27% de espécies representadas por apenas um indivíduo. As análises florísticas avaliadas a partir do Índice de Similaridade de Sorensen indicaram como principais variáveis para a formação dos blocos, os diferentes valores de diversidade para as áreas e a distribuição fitogeográfica das espécies. Os resultados obtidos junto aos dados dos grupos ecológicos, para os indivíduos da fitossociologia, indicaram maior percentual de indivíduos secundários tardios amostrados. Conclui-se que a área de estudo é uma floresta secundária em estágio intermediário de regeneração, com grande riqueza de espécies, muitas das quais de relevante importância ecológica.

Análise do teor de carbono nas espécies de mangue em Guaratiba (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)

Os manguezais são ecossistemas complexos, que estão sujeitos a processos que ocorrem ao longo de diferentes escalas temporais e espaciais. Essa complexidade reforça a importância de se empregar abordagens que possam alcançar essas escalas. As florestas de mangue, entre outras funções, funcionam como sequestradoras e fixadoras de carbono, sendo importantes para o equilíbrio do balanço global de gás carbônico. Estudos relacionados a diversos biomas mostram que há diferença de teor de carbono para espécies diferentes. Diversas estimativas de estoque e sequestro de carbono em florestas de mangue adotam o valor de 45% para o teor de carbono nas espécies de mangue. O presente estudo realizado em Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, coletou ramos, folhas, troncos, partes reprodutivas e raízes subterrâneas das espécies ali encontradas: Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa e Rhizophora mangle, essa última teve ainda a coleta de rizóforos, para determinação do teor de carbono nos diferentes compartimentos das diferentes espécies. As amostragens foram realizadas nos diferentes tipos fisiográficos (franja, bacia e transição). O material seco foi triturado e determinado por autoanalisador CHN. Os resultados foram testados estatisticamente, através de análise de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey para identificação de diferenças entre os tipos fisiográficos, espécies e compartimentos (para p<0,05). Foi obtido um valor de teor de carbono orgânico para as partes lenhosas (44,1%) para todas as espécies; um valor para partes verdes de A. schaueriana e L. racemosa de 42,6% e R. mangle de 44,9%; e um valor para raiz de A. schaueriana e L. racemosa de 42,6% e R. mangle de 40,0%. Não foi detectada influência dos tipos fisiográficos sobre o teor de carbono na floresta de mangue estudada. Os resultados aqui obtidos demonstram ainda que deve-se ter cautela na utilização de um valor único e global para o teor de carbono em espécies de mangue.

Differences in diet of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) at five seasonal feeding grounds on the New England continental shelf

The stomachs of 819 Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) sampled from 1988 to 1992 were analyzed to compare dietary differences among five feeding grounds on the New England continental shelf (Jeffreys Ledge, Stellwagen Bank, Cape Cod Bay, Great South Channel, and South of Martha’s Vineyard) where a majority of the U.S. Atlantic commercial catch occurs. Spatial variation in prey was expected to be a primary influence on bluefin tuna distribution during seasonal feeding migrations. Sand lance (Ammodytes spp.), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), squid (Cephalopoda), and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) were the top prey in terms of frequency of occurrence and percent prey weight for all areas combined. Prey composition was uncorrelated between study areas, with the exception of a significant association between Stellwagen Bank and Great South Channel, where sand lance and Atlantic herring occurred most frequently. Mean stomach-contents biomass varied significantly for all study areas, except for Great South Channel and Cape Cod Bay. Jeffreys Ledge had the highest mean stomach-contents biomass (2.0 kg) among the four Gulf of Maine areas and Cape Cod Bay had the lowest (0.4 kg). Diet at four of the five areas was dominated by one or two small pelagic prey and several other pelagic prey made minor contributions. In contrast, half of the prey species found in the Cape Cod Bay diet were demersal species, including the frequent occurrence of the sessile fig sponge (Suberites ficus). Prey size selection was consistent over a wide range of bluefin length. Age 2–4 sand lance and Atlantic herring and age 0–1 squid and Atlantic mackerel were common prey for all sizes of bluefin tuna. This is the first study to compare diet composition of western Atlantic bluefin tuna among discrete feeding grounds during their seasonal migration to the New England continental shelf and to evaluate predator-prey size relationships. Previous studies have not found a common occurrence of demersal species or a pre-dominance of Atlantic herring in the diet of bluefin tuna.

The free and combined amino acid contents in species of Caulerpa from southeast coast of India

Caulerpa racemosa var. macrophysa, C. racemosa var cornyphora and C. scalpelliformis are analyzed by quantitative paper chromatographic technique for their amino acid contents in proteins, peptides and free state. It is found that no appreciable variation occurs in the quality of amino acid make up in these algae; but quantitative differences are apparent in them. Moreover, both qualitative and quantitative variations occur in the amino acid make up of the peptides, and in the free state. The results are compared with those of the other investigations.

Taxonomic study of coenocytic green algae commonly growing on the coast of Karachi

Twelve commonly occurring coenocytic and siphonaceous species of marine benthic algae, i.e., Bryopsis pennatta Lamouroux, Caulerpa chemnitzia (Esper) Lamouroux, Ca. faridii Nizamuddin, Ca. manorensis Nizamuddin, Ca. racemosa (Forsskal) J. Agardh, Ca. taxifolia. (Vahl) C. Agardh, Chaetomorpha antennina (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Kutzing, Cladophora uncinella Harvey, Codium decorticatum (Woodward) Howe, Co. flabellatum Nizamuddin, Co. iyengarii Borgesen, and Valoniopsis pachynema (Martens) Borgesen, belonging to four different orders of the class Bryopsidophyceae, division Chlorophyta, were collected from the intertidal region of different coastal areas near Karachi (Pakistan) and investigated taxonomically. Codium decorticatum is a new report from this region and Co. decorticatum, Co. flabellatum and Co. iyengarii are described for the first time from the coast of Pakistan.

刺瓣绿绒蒿一新变型

[目的]介绍刺辩绿绒蒿的一个新变型.[方法]在青海省花石峡采集绿缄蒿属藏药时发现了刺瓣绿绒蒿(Meconopsis horridula var.spinulifera.)的一个白花新变型,与原变种(总状绿绒蒿Meconopsis horridula var.racemosa)进行了比较.[结果]在青海省玉树州玛多县花石峡生境为海拔4 200m的小河岸边阳坡草地上发现了刺瓣绿绒蒿的白花新变型,与原变种的区别在于花冠白色;花瓣两面中下部疏生细刺;花柱具4棱,棱呈膜质翅状,宽约1.5 mm;花丝窄线形.[结论]发现的刺瓣绿绒蒿新变型与原变型的主要区别是植物花冠呈白色.

Herbal Dietary Supplements: Safety, Efficacy, and Use by Breast Cancer Survivors

Gemstone Team IMAC (Integrative Medicine and Cancer)

New records of interesting xenophytes in the Iberian Peninsula. V

As a continuation of previous research on the naturalization of non-native vascular plants in the Iberian Peninsula new chorological data are presented for 16 xenophytes recorded between 2010 and 2014, mostly in the provinces of Huelva and Barcelona (Spain) and in the Algarve and Estremadura (Portugal). For each taxon details about distribution, habitats occupied, previous records, degree of naturalization, etc. are provided. Lachenalia bulbifera and Cyperus albostriatus are probably reported for the first time in the wild in Europe, as are Gamochaeta filaginea, and Dysphania anthelmintica and Oenothera lindheimeri for Portugal and Spain respectively. Cosmos bipinnatus is cited as a novelty for the Algarve (Portugal). Newly reported or confirmed for the province of Huelva are: Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Epilobium brachycarpum, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Ficus microcarpa, Tamarix parviflora and Tamarix ramosissima, while Atriplex semibaccata, Chloris truncata, and Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus are new for Barcelona. Finally, Passiflora caerulea is a novelty for both Barcelona and Huelva provinces.

Validations and descriptions of European syntaxa of vegetation dominated by lichens, bryophytes and algae

Fourty-two high-rank syntaxa and seven associations of the thallophyte system of syntaxa are either described as new or validated in this paper. Among those, there are the following nine classes: Aspicilietea candidae, Caulerpetea racemosae, Desmococcetea olivacei, Entophysalidetea deustae, Gloeocapsetea sanguineae, Mesotaenietea berggrenii, Naviculetea gregariae, Porpidietea zeoroidis, Roccelletea phycopsis. Eleven orders and ten alliances as well as three associations are described or validated: the Aspicilietalia verruculosae (incl. Aspicilion mashiginensis and Teloschistion contortuplicati), the Caulerpetalia racemosae (incl. Caulerpion racemosae), the Desmococcetalia olivacei (incl. Desmococcion olivacei), the Dirinetalia massiliensis, the Fucetalia vesiculosi (incl. Ascophyllion nodosi), the Gloeocapsetalia sanguineae, the Lecideetalia confluescentis (incl. Lecideion confluescentis), the Mesotaenietalia berggrenii (incl. Mesotaenion berggrenii, Mesotaenietum berggrenii and Chloromonadetum nivalis), the Naviculetalia gregariae (incl. Oscillatorion limosae and Oscillatorietum limosae), the Porpidietalia zeoroidis (incl. Porpidion zeoroidis), and the Roccelletalia fuciformis (incl. Paralecanographion grumulosae). Further, five orders, seven alliances and four associations, classified in known classes, were described as well. These include: the Bacidinetalia phacodis, the Agonimion octosporae and the Dendrographetalia decolorantis (all in the Arthonio radiatae-Lecidelletea elaeochromae), the Staurothelion solventis (in the Aspicilietea lacustris), the Pediastro duplicis-Scenedesmion quadricaudae and the Pediastro duplicis-Scenedesmetum quadricaudae (both in the Asterionelletea formosae), the Peccanion coralloidis and the Peltuletalia euplocae (both in the Collematetea cristati), the Laminarion hyperboreae, the Saccorhizo polyschidi-Laminarietum and the Alario esculenti-Himanthalietum elongatae (all in the Cystoseiretea crinitae), the Delesserietalia sanguinei, the Delesserion sanguinei and the Delesserietum sanguineae (all in the Lithophylletea soluti), as well as the the Rinodino confragosae-Rusavskietalia elegantis and the Rhizocarpo geographici-Rusavskion elegantis (both in the Rhizocarpetea geographici).

Vom Biofilm zur planktonischen Lebensform

Im ersten Teil dieser Dissertation stand die Analyse der Motilitätsentwicklung bei Vertretern der Gattung Methylobacterium im Vordergrund. Diese zu den pink pigmentierten fakultativ methylotrophen Mikroorganismen (PPFMs) gehörenden Prokaryoten sind in der Umwelt weit verbreitet. Besonders häufig besiedeln die Mikroben pflanzliche Oberflächen und können als so genannte Phytosymbionten in einer wechselseitigen Beziehung zu pflanzlichen Organismen stehen. In aquatischer Umgebung können Methylobakterien Flagellen aufweisen. Hierbei handelt es sich um spezielle Fortbewegungsorganellen, die den Mikroben eine aktive Beweglichkeit ermöglichen. Die Ausbildung polarer Einzelflagellen bei Methylobacterium-Zellen in planktonischer Lebensweise konnte unter Anwendung verschiedener mikroskopischer Techniken dokumentiert werden. Quantitative Beweglichkeitsstudien zeigten einen charakteristischen Entwicklungsverlauf, korreliert mit den Wachstumsphasen der Bakterienkulturen und machten deutlich, dass die Motilitätsrate durch Umweltfaktoren, wie z. B. die Nährstoffversorgung, beeinflusst werden kann. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Pflanzen-assoziierten PPFMs in der Lage sind, zwischen einer sessilen und planktonischen Lebensweise zu wechseln und dass sowohl die zelluläre Beweglichkeit als auch die Biofilm-Bildung der Prokaryoten ein reversibles, reaktivierbares Verhalten darstellt. Weiterhin konnte belegt werden, dass die Motilität der epiphytischen Mikroben bezüglich der Besiedelung von Pflanzen, z. B. bei der Ausbreitung auf Keimblatt-Oberflächen von Sonnenblumen (Helianthus annuus), keine zentrale Rolle spielt und eine endophytische Lebensweise unwahrscheinlich ist. Ziel der Arbeit war weiterhin die Charakterisierung und Identifizierung eines aus der Phyllosphäre der Echten Feige (Ficus carica, Standort Griechenland) isolierten Bakterien-Stammes (Mtb. sp. Fc1). Die fakultativ methylotrophe Stoffwechseleigenschaft, sowie die auffällige rötliche Pigmentierung belegen, dass es sich um einen Vertreter der PPFMs handelt. Die Analyse morphologischer, physiologischer und biochemischer Eigenschaften bestätigte in Übereinstimmung mit molekularphylogenetischen Untersuchungen zur Klassifizierung und taxonomischen Einordnung, dass es sich um Pflanzen-assoziierte Mikroben der Gattung Methylobacterium handelt. Analysen der 16S rDNA sowie partieller Sequenzen der für Methylobakterien etablierten Marker-Gene mxaF und gyrB verdeutlichten die phylogenetische Stellung und die evolutionären Beziehungen des Ficus-Isolates. Obwohl enge Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse zu anderen Methylobacterium-Arten ermittelt werden konnten, war eine Identifizierung als valide beschriebene Spezies nicht möglich. Die Resultate legen den Schluss nahe, dass es sich um eine neue, unbeschriebene Spezies der epiphytisch lebenden Methylobakterien handelt.

Universidad y comunidades huaches de Huanacache: un aporte para el desarrollo local endógeno a partir del cultivo de la tuna

Descripció d'un projecte de la Universidad Nacional de Cuyo sobre el cultiu de la figuera de moro com a entre la comunitat Huarpe de Guanacache, Argentina